Harper: `I'd hate to see Royals go down.'

Anthony Smith • Published 28 Jan 2010 09:00 0 Comments

See also:

READING'S on-loan Blades star James Harper has explained why he shunned Sheffield United's goal celebrations.

Harper is on loan at Bramall Lane for the season to ease the Royals' wage bill.

And the 29-year-old was put through an emotional shredder when his loan club beat his parent club 3-0, with Harper playing the full 90 minutes and picking up a booking.

The defeat piled more relegation misery on the Royals and Harper admitted: "It was one of those games you try and win but you don't really want to.

"I didn't celebrate when any of our goals went in and I didn't really like it.

"I was at Reading for eight years and I've got a lot of respect for the club. I don't want to see them go down.

"I can see them getting out of it, I'm always positive. I really hope they do, they have 20 games left so there's still plenty of time.

"They've got games like Plymouth and Peterborough at home so it's still in their own hands and hopefully they'll do well.

"I know they have to start winning and I just wish they would get those wins and move up the table.

"I've still got mates at Reading and I still live there. They're the first result I look for every time."

Harper was among the mass exodus of players who were sold in the last 12 months or let go to reduce the wage bill.

Liam Rosenior is in a similar position at Ipswich Town on loan and neither will be returning to Reading in June when their contracts expire, amid rumours Harper is poised to pen a long-term contract with the promotion-chasing Blades.

And Harper is not surprised Royals are struggling in 23rd position after the wholesale changes that have taken place.

"It's a completely new team," he argued. "When you think about it the turnaround of players has been quite amazing.

"Two years ago we were in the Premier Legaue. To be fair they sold players for good money and they also saved on their wages.

"I don't really know who you can blame, it's just one of those situations. They got millions for the likes of Kitson, Shorey, Sonko, Hunt, Bikey and Doyle so there's no-one to blame there, it's just the way it goes. The club just have to deal with it."

While Sheffield's victory may have tugged at Harper's heart-strings, he was a little disappointed with the reaction of some Royals supporters.

"After the stick I got from Reading fans I should have celebrated the goals," he quipped.

"I heard `Harper you're rubbish,' but I think it was my dad shouting.

"Joking aside, it's poor really but who cares? You just get on with playing and enjoy yourself."

The Chronicle understands Brian McDermott wanted to recall Harper from his loan, but the move hit a stumbling block.

And the ex-Arsenal trainee, who made 344 Royals appearaces with 26 goals, confirmed he will not be returning to Berkshire.

"I'm double in the shop window," he declared. "We'll see what happens."

But he believes new boss McDermott is the right man to take Reading forward after being finally given the permenent job on Wednesday.

"Brian's a good lad and a good manager and I hope he does well, I really do," he added.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle